Lace now has a place in a glass case
14 May 2014
The NTU lace archive contains many delicate and fragile historical items, of local and international importance. This includes samples of both hand and machine made lace, portfolios of designs, teaching aids and collections of prize winning designs from international lace competitions.
The collection is managed by Dr Amanda Briggs-Goode and has a steering committee of leading experts including Clare Browne, Victoria & Albert Museum, Joanna Hashagen, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle and Professor Julian Ellis, Ellis Development Ltd.
The purchase of an entomology cabinet from the Alumni Fund has allowed for these objects to be viewed outside the confines of the archive. The cabinet houses 20 enclosed drawers with glass lids that can be removed and transported and used for student workshops, talks and exhibitions. A folding trolley has also been purchased to transport the chosen display drawers to destinations in and around the University.
Students from across the School of Art and Design have visited the archive as a starting point for inspiration and concept ideas for their projects. Lace projects have included collaborations, exhibitions and competitions with Timorous Beasties, Hand and Lock, Nottingham Castle, The Wallner Gallery, Tyrone Textiles. The archive was also a significant element in the recently acclaimed lace:here:now season held in 2012/2013 – being used for staff and student exhibitions as well as being on view to the general public. This has helped to raise awareness of the collection and increased understanding of the lace archive as a significant resource in a historical and educational context.